Sales of Ferrari sports cars in Bahrain have trebled in the last three years, it has emerged. The figures were announced as Ferrari celebrated its 60th anniversary in Bahrain yesterday. Euro Motors, the country's sole Ferrari distributor, revealed sales have increased from six per year in 2003 to around 20 now.

The dealership sells the F430 and F430 Spider models along with the latest car, the 599 GTB Fiorano. Managing director Zayed Al Zayani revealed there are more than 50 Ferrari owners in Bahrain. He told the GDN that buyers often have to spend up to nine months on a waiting list before being able to buy a Ferrari due to its limited production capacity worldwide. Prices start at BD70,000 and can reach BD90,000 and above, depending on the specifications.

Bahrain became the latest stop on a global relay to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Ferrari yesterday. The Ferrari 60 Relay involves company officials carrying a specially created baton around the world, visiting countries where the car is sold. The baton will be carried across 60 countries in the Middle East and Africa, Oceania region, Latin America, the US and Canada this year.

Around a dozen local Ferrari owners participated in the Bahrain leg of the relay. They drove in a police-escorted convoy that carried the baton around Manama and to the Bahrain International Circuit for a lap of the track. Italian Ambassador Calogero Di Gesu and Ferrari officials from Italy were among those attending the event, which started from the Euro Motors showroom in Sitra. Mr Al Zayani says he is not surprised that the Ferrari remains so popular. It is the heritage, the performance, the elite ownership of a Ferrari and the association with motor sport," he said.
 

"Ferrari owners are very passionate about the car and the brand. There is a special club you belong to and it is a small circle of people. Ferrari will always be like that and it is part of the charm. We are proud to be associated with Ferrari and be the exclusive distributor in Bahrain."

Ferraris are sold in eight other countries across the Middle East and Africa, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Lebanon, Kuwait, Egypt, Qatar and South Africa. "In the last three years, we have been experiencing very fast growth in terms of sales of new cars," said Ferrari regional sales manager Marco Cavagna. "In 2004, we sold just over 100 cars and last year we sold more than 250 in the region. This year, we expect to sell 350. Considering it is a car with limited volume in terms of production, this is a big success."

Mr Di Gesu commented that the car manufacturer was a symbol of the success of Italian creativity and skill. "For us, Ferrari represents the best Italy can produce and the fact this symbol has reached all over the world and is appreciated is a reason to continue and pursue the Italian way of life," he said.

Report courtesy of the Gulf Daily News